SOCCER (M)

10/28/09 - Royals Earn First GSAC Shutout of Year Against #24 Eagles

Fullerton, CA- Hope International established a new GSAC result against the #24 Concordia on Wednesday afternoon. For the first time since 1998 against the Eagles, the Royals came away with a different result besides a loss as they played to a 0-0 double overtime tie.  The defensive unit of the Royals played solid throughout the match as they gave up numerous shots but few that were very dangerous.

The first half was played about as even as a half can be played.  Both teams took six shots with three on goal while the Eagles (9-5-2, 5-2-2 GSAC) held a slight edge at 2-1 on corner kicks.  The most dangerous shot of the half came off the left foot of Concordia’s Eric Mendoza.  Mendoza hit a corner kick that bent toward the back post and forced Royals Goalkeeper Matt Fike to reach back and knock the ball over the bar.

Though Fike, a Senior playing in his final home game, was credited with 10 saves that save on the corner was the most non-routine save he had to make all day.

In the second half, Concordia stepped up the pressure and out shot Hope International 10-5.  However, the Royals’ (5-8-4, 0-7-2 GSAC) defense of Juniors Adrian La Farge and Jon Castro along with Freshmen Brady Hansen and Austin Lane continued to disrupt Concordia’s timing and not allow an easy look.

Junior Perris Rowan hit a shot in 67th minute that looked like was going to sneak in the near post but was pushed just wide by the wind that picked up more and more as the game went along.

Freshman Edgar Bran found himself in behind the Eagles’ defense on a breakaway half way through the first overtime but Eagles’ Goalkeeper James Rammelsberg was up to challenge and denied Bran in textbook fashion to get keep the game alive.

The Eagles had a big push at the end of the first overtime but the Royals stood their ground.

Bran and Rammelsberg would meet again in similar breakaway fashion in the second overtime.  This time Bran actually got his shot past Rammelsberg from 12 yards out but the spin on the ball carried it just to the left of the goal.

On Saturday, the Royals will wrap the regular season by traveling to San Diego Christian in El Cajon.  Kick-off is scheduled for 3:00 pm.

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